Notch top shopping bag

ABSTRACT

A shopping bag structure having an interlocking notched closure for the top of the bag is described that includes generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels and pleated side panels interconnecting the front and rear panels, the front, rear and side panels forming at one end thereof a top opening for the bag structure and being folded together at the other end thereof to form a closed bottom for the bag structure, and at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of the front and rear panels near the first ends thereof, each pair of cut lines extending from the top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by each pair of cut lines on the front and rear panels. The tab portions can be folded and interlocked to form a closed condition for the bag structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shopping bag structures, and more particularly to a shopping bag structure having an interlocking notched closure for the top of the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retail sales establishments, grocery markets and other retailers use various sizes, shapes and kinds of bags to assist the customer in containing, transporting, protecting and preserving goods, groceries and other products purchased by the customer. Shopping bags in current use generally comprise paper structures with or without handles, or molded plastic bags with handles molded into plastic structure. These bag types have top openings into which purchased goods are inserted into the bags. Because it may be desirable to close the top of the bag in order to cover its contents, there is a need for a bag structure having a simple, inexpensive and effective closure structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shopping bag structure comprising:

(a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) pleated side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels;

said front, rear and side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, and a closed bottom at a second end of said panels;

(c) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the top opening for the bag structure; and

(d) means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof.

The invention further relates to an improvement in shopping bag structures having generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a top opening for said bag structure at respective first ends of said front and rear panels, an improvement, the improvement comprising, means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof.

The invention relates also to a shopping bag structure comprising:

(a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) said front and rear panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front and rear panels joined together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom end for the bag structure;

(c) means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof.

The invention can be incorporated into an existing production line with little impact on production and typically no additional material costs. The shopping bag of the invention avoids prior art requirements for additional closure materials or appliques applied during the bag production process.

The invention overcomes the deficiencies in previously available shopping bag structures as suggested above, by providing a bag structure having a pair of spaced apart solid cut lines on confronting front and rear panels of the bag structure near the top opening of the bag, each pair of cut lines extending from the top opening downwardly and converging to form confronting trapezoidal-shaped tab portions on the front and rear panels. The top opening of the bag may be closed by folding one of the tab portions inwardly with respect to the interior of bag, and folding the other portion into the opening left by the other portion in an interlocking relationship. A small adhesive strip can be included on the tab portions for enhanced closure effectiveness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of representative embodiments thereof read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag structure representative of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag structure of FIG. 1 as viewed generally from the bottom of the bag.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the bag structure of FIG. 1 in the folded condition.

FIG. 4 shows the upper portion of the FIG. 1 bag structure in a closed condition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bag structure of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view a bag 10 structure representative of one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag 10 of FIG. 1 as viewed generally from the bottom of bag 10. It is noted at the outset that a highly useful application of the invention is as described herein as a shopping bag, but the invention in one or more of the embodiments described herein can find use as a shopping bag, product containment at point of retail sale, containment (including insulated containment) for fast food, or other use as would occur to the skilled artisan guided by these teachings.

Bag 10 comprises a generally rectangular structure having a front panel 11 and back panel 12 and side panels 13 and 14 defined by folded corners 15, 16, 17 and 18, each of said front, back and side panels having respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces defining an interior volume 20 for receiving a retail sales item, fast food item, or other product. The panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 define an opening 19 at a first end of the structure providing access to the interior volume 20 of bag 10 for inserting items therein. Side panels 13 and 14 are creased respectively as at folding lines 13 a, 13 b, and 13 c (see FIG. 2) and at folding lines 14 a, 14 b and 14 c (see FIG. 1) and one of the front or back panels 11 or 12 is creased such as at 11 a in order facilitate the inwardly folding of sides 13 and 14 to the folded condition suggested in FIG. 3. Bottom panel 22 defines a closed end for bag 10 at the second end of the bag structure opposite to opening 19.

Bag 10 and other embodiments of the invention as described herein may be formed of substantially any sheet materials customarily used in the manufacture of shopping bags for retail use, such materials including cloth fabrics, plastics, paper, or materials for hot or cold insulation, or others, the same not considered limiting of the invention. In forming bag 10 using sheet material, a piece of substantially rectangular material is formed into the generally rectangular volumetric shape as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 by folding as at corners 15 to 18, and joined as at 24 using an adhesive in substantially conventional fashion. The bottom 22 of bag 10 can then be closed to the configuration suggested in FIG. 2 by inwardly folding portions of the bottom ends of sides 13 and 14 to the form of gussets 27 and 28 and then folding together base panels 30 and 31 of respective front panel 11 and back panel 12 and joining as at 32 using an adhesive, tape or other joining means.

Further reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows a partial view (upper portion) of bag 10, showing bag 10 folded to a closed condition. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the upper ends of panels 11 and 12 have trapezoidal-shaped tab cutout portions 41 and 42 defined therein in confronting locations along the upper edges of panels 11 and 12 defining opening 19. Tab portions 41 and 42 may be formed by any means as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention in order to accomplish the purpose of the portions 41 and 42 as described hereinbelow. In one embodiment of the invention, tab portions 41 and 42 are formed in respective panels 11 and 12 by means defining respective solid cut lines 41 a and 41 b and 42 a and 42 b. Other means defining portions 41 and 42 may be used as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention such as lines of perforations in respective panels 11 and 12, the same considered to be within the scope of these teachings and of the appended claims. The solid cut lines 41 a, 41 b, 42 a and 42 b allow tab portions 41 and 42 to be folded inwardly or outwardly such as the outwardly folded portion 41 defined by dashed lines demonstrated in FIG. 1 at 41 c. Additionally, in further aspects and embodiments of the invention, more than one set of portions 41 and 42 may be defined along the respective upper edges of panels 11 and 12 to provide multiple closure locations. The sizes of trapezoidal shaped portions 41 and 42 and of the corresponding openings defined by the aforementioned folding as shown in FIG. 1 at 41 c can be selected according to the overall size of the bag 10, the specific sizes of portions 41 and 42 not considered limiting of the invention. For example, and depending on bag 10 size, portions 41 and 42 may typically range in width from less than about one inch to about five inches or more across the top thereof, and about one-half inch to about four inches or more along the bottom thereof and in length (height) from about one inch to about five inches or more, depending on the overall height of bag 10. It is seen that the trapezoidal shape of tab portions 41 and 42 is defined by the dimension across the top end of each portion 41 and 42 being greater than the dimension across the bottom of each portion.

With reference now specifically to FIG. 4, it is seen that closure of the bag 10 at opening 19 can be accomplished by folding portions 41 and 42 inwardly with respect to the interior of bag 10 as suggested by the inwardly folded portion 41 of FIG. 4, or one of portions 41 and 42 is folded outwardly or removed as by tearing or cutting. Sides 13 and 14 are then folded inwardly as suggested in FIG. 4 to close the bag at opening 19. The inwardly folded portion (portion 42 in the example of FIG. 4) is then folded into the opening (such as at 45) left by the folding or removal of the other portion (41). In FIG. 4, portion 42 is shown folded into the space left by inward folding of portion 41. The trapezoidal shape of portion 42 and opening 45 provide an interlocking relationship of portion 42 with opening 45. At point of sale, purchased items may be inserted into bag 10 and securely enclosed therein by the interlocking relationship of portions 41 and 42 as described herein.

In a further embodiment of the invention, short strips of pressure sensitive (e.g., non-hardening) adhesive layers 47 and 48 are disposed on the inner surfaces respectively of portions 41 and 42 near opening 19. Adhesives that can be typically used in any of the embodiments of the invention as described herein include any of the conventional pressure sensitive or cohesive-adhesive systems or other conventional adhesive as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention as taught herein, the specific selected adhesive system not considered limiting of the invention or of the appended claims. Protective removable (peel-off) strips 49 and 50 of paper, plastic or other material are disposed over respective adhesive layers 47 and 48 to protect the adhesive prior to an intended use of bag 10. In order to close bag 10 for this embodiment of the invention, the protective strip 50 (for the demonstration shown in FIG. 4) is removed from portion 42 and the upper end of bag 10 is folded substantially as suggested in FIG. 4. Portions 41 and 42 are interlocked as shown in FIG. 4 and portion 42 pressed against and caused to adhere to the outer surface of the upper end of panel 11. By selecting an adhesive for the adhesive layers in the structure of bag 10 that is releasable, the bag may be reclosable.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, shown therein is a perspective view a bag 70 structure representative of another embodiment of the invention. Bag 70 comprises a generally rectangular structure having a front panel 71 and back panel 72, each having respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces defining an interior volume 80 for receiving an item therein. The panels 71 and 72 are sealed or otherwise integral with each other at their respective sides as at 76 and 77 and at the bottom of bag 70 as at 78. Panels 71 and 72 define an opening 75 at a first end of bag 70 providing access to the interior volume 80 of bag 70.

In manner similar to the embodiments described above, the upper ends of panels 71 and 72 have trapezoidal-shaped portions 81 and 82 defined therein in confronting locations along the upper edges of panels 71 and 72 defining opening 75. Portions 81 and 82 are defined by respective solid cut lines 83 and 84 and 85 and 86 (or lines of perforations) in respective panels 71 and 72. Portions 81 and 82 may be folded inwardly or outwardly similarly to that described above in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. The sizes of portions 81 and 82 and of the corresponding openings defined by folding one or both portions 81 and 82 can be selected according to the overall size of the bag 70, and may range in size as defined above for bag 10 of FIG. 1. In manner also similarly to bag 10 of FIG. 1, closure of bag 70 can be accomplished by folding portions 81 and 82 inwardly with respect to the interior of bag 70. One of the folded portions 81 or 82 is then folded into the opening left by the inward folding of the other portion to form the interlocking relationship similarly to that described above in relation to FIG. 4. Short strips of adhesive layers 91 and 92 may be disposed on the inner surfaces respectively of portions 81 and 82 near opening 75, along with protective removable peel-off strips 93 and 94 to protect the adhesive prior to an intended use of bag 70. Adhesive closure of bag 70 is accomplished similarly to that described for bag 10 in FIG. 4.

In yet another aspect of the invention, handles 62 and 63 may be attached in any conventional manner to a bag structure in any of the embodiments of the invention, such as shown in FIG. 4 as attached to panels 11 and 12.

In a further aspect of the invention, and with reference again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a shopping bag of the invention may include on the outer surfaces thereof pictures, drawings, printing or other decorative indicia 60 comprising a retail advertisement, decoration or other indicia imprinted thereon in the use of the invention as a shopping bag or fast food container or other use.

The invention therefore provides a shopping bag structure having an interlocking notched closure for the top opening of the bag. It is understood that modifications to the invention may be made as might occur to one with skill in the field of the invention within the scope of the appended claims. All embodiments contemplated hereunder that achieve the benefits of the invention have therefore not been shown in complete detail. Other embodiments may be developed without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A shopping bag structure comprising: (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) pleated side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels; (c) said front, rear and side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, and a closed bottom at a second end of said panels; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in a closed condition for the top opening for the bag structure; and (e) means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof.
 2. The shopping bag structure of claim 1 further comprising a strip of adhesive on the inner surface of at least one of said front and rear panels between said spaced apart cut lines therein.
 3. The shopping bag structure of claim 2 wherein said adhesive strip comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 4. The shopping bag structure of claim 1 wherein said front, rear and side panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
 5. The shopping bag structure of claim 4 wherein said material is insulated.
 6. The shopping bag structure of claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to each of said front and rear panels.
 7. The shopping bag structure of claim 1 wherein said front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom end for the bag structure.
 8. The shopping bag structure of claim 7 wherein front, rear and side panels are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to form said closed bottom for the bag structure.
 9. In a shopping bag structure having generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a top opening for said bag structure at respective first ends of said front and rear panels, an improvement, comprising, means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof.
 10. The improvement of claim 9 further comprising a strip of adhesive on the inner surface of at least one of said front and rear panels between said spaced apart cut lines therein.
 11. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said adhesive strip comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 12. The improvement of claim 9 wherein said front and rear panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
 13. The improvement of claim 12 wherein said material is insulated.
 14. The improvement of claim 9 further comprising a handle attached to each of said front and rear panels.
 15. A shopping bag structure comprising: (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) said front and rear panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front and rear panels joined together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom end for the bag structure; and (c) means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof.
 16. The shopping bag structure of claim 15 further comprising a strip of adhesive on the inner surface of at least one of said front and rear panels between said spaced apart cut lines therein.
 17. The shopping bag structure of claim 16 wherein said adhesive strip comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 18. The shopping bag structure of claim 15 wherein said front and rear panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
 19. The shopping bag structure of claim 18 wherein said material is insulated.
 20. The shopping bag structure of claim 15 further comprising a handle attached to each of said front and rear panels. 